California

SummaryCalifornia is not a traditional open carry state. Open carry is generally prohibited except in unincorporated areas where the county has not made open carry illegal, or, pursuant to a CA open carry permit issued and valid only in a county with a population of less than 200,000 persons.

Legal Disclaimer

We make every effort to provide correct information on this site. However, the legal landscape surrounding open carry is fluid and subject to a myriad of political influences in the various states. Therefore, any and all information you glean from this site should be independently verified!

The California Constitution contains NO provision for the right to keep and bear arms, but does provide for “field preemption” of local ordinances incompatible with an established state scheme of regulation.

Minimum Age to OC

18

Preemption

There is substantial state statutory preemption of local firearms ordinances, and state constitutional field preemption appears to invalidate local gun carry bans in public places, e.g., parks, streets, and sidewalks, however the courts have not yet ruled on this matter.

NOTE: Almost all states allow local regulation of the discharge of firearms

Open Car Carry

Loaded handguns may be openly carried in cars in unincorporated areas where the county has not banned all firearms discharge, or, pursuant to a California open carry permit issued by a county with a population of less than 200,000 persons; such permits are valid only in the issuing county.